Dry cell



G.W. VINAL AND Hf D. HOLL'ER.

DRY CELL. APPucATioN FILED 1AN.22 1919.r

Patented Feb. 14, 1922.

Y 51A/ventole Gea/36W 55ml Hama/2D. Haller v and then moistened to become active.

ESG

STAT

enfasi ermee.

G'rEDRGE W. VINAL'AND HOMER D. HOLLER, 0F WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

DRY CELL.

recettes.

'To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE IV. VINAL and IIoMnn D. I'IoLLicn, citizens ot the illnited States, residing at Viflasliington, in

`the District ot' Columbia, have invented aV certain new and Improved Dry Cell, et which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to dry cells and'in particular to a type ot' dry cell which may be kept in a dry condition as long` as desilred `he object of my invention is to provide an improved cell ot this type and also to provide a cell of extreme simplicity and durability which is very rugged in construction and will withstand rough treatment without damage. In the drawings, Figure l represents a top plan view ot' the cell which I have devised for this purpose, Figure 2 represents a side View of the cell, while Figure 3 represents a vertical central section.

Referring to the drawing tor a more detailed description ot my cell, I provide a ring l of fibre or other insulating material having a plurality of holes 2. Capping` one end of this tube 1 is a zinc plate 3 having its edges upturned as at 4 to encircle and embrace that end of the tube. i Placed within the tube is a cup 5 ot porous absorbing material so formed as to cover the zinc at the bottom of the tube and also to line the walls of the tube to a point ncar the top thereof. Inserted in the tube above the cup 5 is a plug 6 of carbon. Carried by the cup 5 and absorbed therein is the electrolyte which preferably consists ot' sal ammoniac. Included in the space between the cup 5 and the carbon plug G is the depolarizing mixture 7, preferably consisting ot' granular carbon and manganese dioxide. rIhe joint between the tube l and plug (i is closed by an asphalt seal 8.

In constructing my cell the electrolyte is applied to the cup 5, which preferably con- .sists of blotting paper, and allowed to dry.

The cup 5 is then inserted in the tube l and the depolarizing` mixture 7 placed within the cup. The carbon plug G is then inserted in the tube and pressed down to compress the depolarizing mixture into a compact mass and to insure goed contact between the cup 5 and the zinc The asphalt seal is then poured in. My cell remains in this condition until it is to be put into use. At

Specificationl of Letters Patent. lgltgnted Feb 141g, gggj Application filed January 22,. 1919. Serial No. 272,454.

this time the cell is soaked in water to mois ten the cup 5 and dissolve the electrolyte absorbed therein. l

' ly maintaining my cell.in a dry condition until its use is desired I eliminate all so called local action while the cell is on the shelf and yet through the addition ot' water by the means which I have provided I secure an electrolyte ot' equal quality with that which would be secured were the cell manufactured with the electrolyte in solution. Iy making the zinc clementin the form ot a cap and the carbon clement in the l'orm of a plug,r I reduce the likelihood ot an external body accidentally contacting with both poles o'lt the cell. liy using thc tube l as the structural basis of my cell and securing the electrodes thereto I produce a cell ot' added strength and ot' very rugged construction. Iy making the zinc clement 3 and the carbon clement (S of the large cross section and providing them with fiat external surfaces I not only increase the capacity ot theI cell and decrease the internal resistance thercot but l also provide a sutlicientlv larg(` contact area so that I may rely on the surface or abutting contact between the electrodes ot' adjacent cells to furnish' the connection between these cells and in this way I eliminate all necessity t'or binding posts, connecting wires. soldering, or other elaborating means ot' connecting each cell with those adjacent.

I have described above the preferred embodiment ol' my cell and indicated the features which I dcem particularly valuable and zulvantageous. but I realize that the advantages of my cell are not limited to a car1 bon-sal ammoniac-zinc 'ccll but may be used with manv other types and,accordingly, Ido not consider my invention limited tothis type cell except as it is so limited in the appended claims. I also consider as part ot my invention all changes and modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A cell embodying a tube ot insulating material primarily open at both ends, an electrode capping one end ot' said tube and exposing.,r a flat sui-tace suitable for abutting electrical contact, an electrode closing the other end ot' said tube and also exposing a flat surface suitable. tor abutting electrical Contact, an absorbent container for electro* lyte between suiil electrodes, and electrolyte in said container.

2. )l cell comprising :i tube of insulutingf niuterial, un electrode capping und closing; one end ot seid tube und exposing it 'Hut sui'- fece suitable for making un abutting` electrical Contact` un electrode plugging und elosingg` the other end of said tube und eX- posingI :i Hut surface suitable. for abutting electrical Contact` und electrolyte between said electrodes und within seiil tube.

P). A cell comprising en electrode expos-- ing` u lint surface suitable for abutting; eleotrieul Contact, u second electrode of lessei` area also exposing u flut surface suitable for ubutting electrica] contact, uperturetl insu latin?,- material seeming` Suid electrodes 'together with suitl Contact surfucee turned out porous absorbent nuiteiiel covering the inner fece oone of said eleetrocle and con taining electrolyte, and u depolarizer between said material und the other electrode.

A cell embodying u tube of insulating material primarily open :it both ends, a porous electrolyte holding cup und liner fitted .into Suid tube und closingr one end thereof, un electrode capping the suine end of said tube and exposing' :l` finit surface suitable for abutting electrical Contact, an electrode closing the other end of said tube and also exposing :i fiat surface suitable for abutting' electrical Contact, und means :tor admitting moisture to tbe interior of said tube tlnougli the side will thereof.

cell :1s in claim 1T, the lined eleotrode being the czip the cop electrode being Zine, and the plug eleetrocle being carbon.

ln teetiinony whereof we unix our signe tures.

GEORGE .V1 VRML. HOMER D. HLLEN 

